Hospitals placed under special measures

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust under special measures

United Lincolnshire Hospitals has reacted to the announcement it is being placed under special measures. In a statement they say they fully accept the findings of the Keogh review into the quality of the Trust’s care, which have been published today.

The safety and quality of patient care is our top priority. We have always seen the review as an opportunity to continue our journey of improvement. The review has helped to ensure that our efforts are targeting the changes that will make the most impact on patient care. Therefore we fully accept the findings. Patients are the very heart of everything we do, but others are doing better and therefore we need to learn from them.

– ULHT’s Chief Executive Jane Lewington

ULHT is spending £7m this year and next on approximately 200 additional nurses to meet the needs of patients. A major recruitment campaign is underway, with Spain and Ireland being targeted targeted in addition to UK wide recruitment. Staffing levels are already being reviewed on a daily basis.

Historically, it has been difficult to fill all our vacancies, because clinical staff do not necessarily want to live and work in Lincolnshire. Recruiting to the additional posts are therefore a real challenge and we are using best recruitment practice to tackle this issue. While we are looking abroad, we also want to say to doctors and nurses in this country – come and work with us here, and help to make a real difference.

– The trust’s interim Director of Nursing Eiri Jones

Other actions being planned by the Trust include public listening events, a patient-focussed overhaul of the complaints system with patients and experts in the field involved in the review, and a series of internal campaigns to promote staff awareness of best clinical practice.